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ALL-STAR D-MAN CONNELLY DEALT TO CALGARY

Connelly Brian3
Chicago, Ill.-The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired center Brendan Morrison from the Calgary Flames in exchange for defenseman Brian Connelly.

Morrison, 36, has appeared in 923 career National Hockey League regular-season games over parts of 15 seasons, collecting 200 goals, 601 points and 446 penalty minutes. The Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, native, has spent each of the last two years with the Calgary Flames, which includes notching seven assists and 11 points in 28 contests this season. He collected his 200th career NHL goal on January 1 against Nashville and his 600th career NHL point on December 29, 2011 against New Jersey. Morrison also tied a career-high earlier this season with a four-point effort on December 6 against Carolina.

Morrison has reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs nine times during his career, racking up 29 points (8G, 21A) and 40 penalty minutes in 58 postseason tilts. He has skated for the New Jersey Devils (1998-2000), Vancouver Canucks (2000-08), Anaheim Ducks (2008-09), Dallas Stars (2008-09), Washington Capitals (2009-10) and Flames (2010-12). Morrison has collected at least 51 points six times in his career and has reached the 20-goal plateau four times.

Prior to turning pro late in 1998, Morrison played four seasons at the University of Michigan (CCHA), amassing 284 points (102G, 182A) in 155 career games, which includes helping the school to a National Championship in 1996 an winning the Hobey Baker Award in 1998 after finishing as a finalist in 1996 and 1997. Morrison’s career marks in points and assists are still a school record. He netted the overtime winner to clinch Michigan’s National Championship in 1996 and was named NCAA Tournament MVP.

Connelly, 25, has spent parts of the last four seasons as a member of the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs, tallying 126 points (21G, 105A) in 211 regular-season games. He originally signed with the Blackhawks on June 8, 2009. Connelly is Rockford's all-time leader for assists and points by a defenseman and was recently selected to his second-straight AHL All-Star Game.